The "Antique Capital of Maryland" has changed with the times
Once an antiquing destination, New Market is now a lively small town with a mix of small businesses in its historic district and new developments on the outskirts. Locals strolling along Main Street find historic Colonial buildings, longtime business owners, and popular new restaurants such as Vintage Restaurant and Prospect Pantry, and New Market's outer areas have large swaths of undeveloped land and newer subdivisions. Though New Market is not the mecca for antique shoppers it once was, "there are beautiful houses, nice people, and just a small community," says Bob Esterly, owner of Robert Esterly Antiques, who started working in New Market in 1971.
Antique shops and local restaurants
New Market once had over 30 antique shops, about four of which remain today. "Back in the heyday, you had to elbow your way through the crowd on the sidewalks on a typical weekend," Esterly says. Numbers dwindled as store owners aged out, passed away and weathered the 2008 recession. However, the town has since made efforts to revitalize and diversify the businesses on Main Street – alongside the remaining antique shops. Locals stop for a coffee at 5 West Cafe on their way to work and catch up with friends over an acai bowl or panini at Prospect Pantry. For date night, Vintage Restaurant serves dishes like chargrilled salmon and short rib pot roast with its signature cocktails. Antique shops like RP Brady Antiques, Robert Esterly Antiques and Fleshman's Antiques are primarily open by appointment only. For groceries, Hawkins Produce off Old National Pike has local fruits and vegetables, and Food Lion is just down the street.
Historic Colonials and contemporary homes on the outskirts
Homes in New Market's historic district include preserved Colonials valued between $500,000 and $800,000, though they rarely come up for sale. Due to Main Street's historic designation, "you need a permit to do just about anything, painting, a new roof," says Esterly, who lives in a late-1700s-era brick Colonial in the downtown area. His home, like some of the others in the area, has additions added in the early 1800s and original fireplaces. Outside of New Market's historic area, ranches and split levels built between the 1960s and 1980s and subdivisions with contemporary homes and townhouses built between the 1990s and 2000s dominate the landscape. Older homes sit on spacious lots with mature trees and go for between $475,000 and $575,000, while newer homes in subdivisions sit closer together and go for between $600,000 and $800,000.
Christmas in New Market and other events
Christmas in New Market is one of the town's most popular annual events. Crowds line the street for parades featuring local businesses on homemade floats, high school choirs singing carols, firetrucks and more community members getting in the holiday spirit. Another popular event is the South Alley Block Party at the beginning of Summer. This street fair has vendors and artisans, a petting zoo, food trucks, games and more. For the last several years in October, New Market has also hosted its 5K Fighter Run, a race and fundraiser for the Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund.
Students attend Frederick County Schools
Students usually attend New Market Elementary School and New Market Middle School of Main Street. Both schools earned B-plus grades from Niche. "Schools around here are Blue Ribbon, meaning they're some of the best in the county," Esterly says. "New Market schools are especially great." Older students attend A-minus-rated Linganore High School. The Linganore High School building, which was finished in 2010, has updated features such as labs fitted for different subjects, skylights, recycled building materials and interactive whiteboards.
Sugar Loaf Mountain and New Market Community Park
Locals can climb Sugar Loaf Mountain, about 15 miles south, for panoramic views of the surrounding area, including the Potomac River. Gambrill State Park is also about 15 miles from New Market. Climbs through the High Knob area of the park offer views of rich, green forest for miles in the summer and vibrant oranges and yellows in the fall. For recreational facilities, New Market Community Park on East Main Street has tennis and basketball courts, picnic pavilions and a playground, and Old National Pike District Park nearby has baseball and soccer fields and volleyball courts.
Lack of a bypass can slow down commuting
New Market is about 45 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. and 40 miles west of Baltimore. Currently, commuters must drive through the downtown area on Old National Pike to access major cities, which can cause traffic. "They don't have a bypass, which hurts a lot. The only way in and out of the outskirts is right through New Market," Esterly says. Drivers commute east-west on Route 70 and north-south on 270, though traffic can be heavy. "They call 270 'The Big Ugly,'" Esterly says. "You can also commute to the back way to D.C. on Route 355, but there's a lot of stop lights." New Market has a CAP Index Score of 1, indicating a very low crime risk in the area.
